Live, Learn, Love: London

As I boarded the plane, slightly tipsy from sitting in the airport bar, I kept making eyes at the adorable Frenchman sitting down the row from me on the plane. When I say adorable, I mean he had a curly shag hair cut, dressed in a button up shirt, a blazer, jeans and a red scarf. At that moment he was heaven to me, and yet there is something completely magical about a place that makes you feel so at home that time stops.

I got off the plane in London and forgot all about the mystery man I was making googley eyes at. Simply, I was home; I felt home and in that moment nothing else mattered.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as being able to simply take off for a week, disappear and get away. I am new to this whole jet setter thing, but could easily get used to it. As I got away, I joined the ranks of my hostess and her friends: Shakespeare Master’s Students at a prestigious college in London. Clearly I was going to be drinking and philosophizing all week… I better get my game on.

The single best reason to fly international is for the free booze. Truthfully, a couple glasses of wine and a Benadryl will knock you out for enough time to get some rest… I only advise this if you are flying overnight though. I passed out and was ready to rock and roll when I got to London.

This was my 4^th trip to London and quite frankly it was nice to be able to just exist in the city. No papers, no class, no touristy stuff I needed to do, I was able to just experience the culture. People watching is an amazing thing.

My favorite thing about London is how orderly everything is, a place for everything and everything has its place. The underground is easy to understand, everyone walks on their left as they walk down the street. Warning labels are clear. Escalators are easy; it’s so easy to fall in step with them here.

Many days (I say this as if it were some epic journey) were spent in the company of my friend’s friends and classmates. They were all the artsy, fartsy grad student type. To them I was a bit of a goddess… reassuring them that no matter what there are always jobs for English majors. Their lives revolve around stories, no wonder they like the ones who actually partake in story telling for a living. “Being someone’s hero,” for just being me is quite an honor… though why anyone would want me as their hero is another story.

Sadly, no crazy adventures took place. Disappointing, I know. My trip to London should at least include a fleeting romance that lasted only a week, perfect scenario and perfect time of life… blah blah blah. That didn’t happen. The only love affair was between me and the city.

Instead of romance I get a text from this guy I have already rejected twice. I really don’t know how I keep meeting these sad pathetic guys… What do I do? Drink to his stupidity with my friends. For me, I will not find some fleeting love in London; I am already in a long standing affair with the city itself (and Shakespeare, but that is another story).

I won’t lie; I fell in love a little more each time I visit.

Highlights of my trip:

12^th Night- I have seen at least a dozen performances of this play and yet I can’t get enough of it. April and I went to see a stunningly splendid fringe performance of this show. I got pulled up on stage to dance with one of the characters! Go figure, I loose my inhibitions and get up on stage in London.

Road Trip, Bus Style- Since April had never been out of the city and I wanted to take a day trip, we ventured via bus to Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Bath. Words can not begin to describe just how awestruck I was at each location. You can just feel the history as you walk around. I know people always say that Stonehenge is less impressive in person. Let me tell you, it might be smaller than it seems but I’ll be damned if I didn’t get weak at the knees in its presence.

Pubs and the chill drinking culture- My dream come true is a reality every day there, sitting around a pub theorizing on life, love, and Shakespeare while just being.

Meeting Manuela for Tea in Angel- there is nothing quite like being able to meet a fond friend in a foreign land. It’s a sense of home, though tea was brief.

I think I have to concede that my motto still remains: Live London, Learn London, Love London.